Berberine-Functionalized Bismuth-Doped Carbon Dots in a Pathogen-Responsive Hydrogel System: A Multifaceted Approach...

Area of Science:

• Oral microbiology
• Nanomedicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Periodontal disease is a global health issue driven by oral dysbiosis and inflammation, with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) as a key pathogen.
• Current treatments lack comprehensive action against Pg, immune modulation, virulence suppression, and microbiome restoration.
• Bismuth and berberine show promise but have poor solubility and bioavailability, limiting their therapeutic use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a multifunctional nanomedicine (BiCD-Ber) for effective periodontitis management.
• To combine antimicrobial, immune-modulating, and virulence-suppressing properties in a single therapeutic agent.
• To create a delivery system that enhances bioavailability and targets Pg-specific conditions.

Main Methods:

• Developed bismuth-doped carbon dots functionalized with modified berberine (BiCD-Ber).
• Encapsulated BiCD-Ber in a disulfide-modified hyaluronic acid hydrogel for targeted delivery.
• Evaluated BiCD-Ber's efficacy in eradicating Pg, restoring immune responses, preserving epithelial integrity, and modulating microbiota in vitro and in vivo.

Main Results:

• BiCD-Ber effectively eradicated Pg and restored Pg-perturbed immune responses in gingival fibroblasts.
• Bismuth ions in BiCD-Ber neutralized Pg virulence factors by inhibiting gingipains.
• The hydrogel system modulated subgingival microbiota, reduced gingival inflammation, and prevented alveolar bone loss in vivo.

Conclusions:

• The BiCD-Ber hydrogel system offers a promising multifunctional approach for periodontitis treatment.
• This nanomedicine concurrently eliminates Pg, modulates inflammation, suppresses virulence, and restores microbiota.
• The developed system demonstrates significant potential for effective periodontitis management by addressing key pathological factors.